Utah governor signs legislation suggested by student while visiting high school

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Utah governor signs legislation suggested by student while visiting high school

HEBER CITY, Utah – Utah Gov. Gary Herbert was in Heber City Friday for an event called “Capital for a Day,” and while he was there he met a high school senior who sparked a change in Utah law.

Herbert visited schools and businesses as well as met with city and county leaders Friday, and his first stop was at Wasatch High School—where he signed House Bill 282.

HB 282 allows 16 and 17-year-olds to serve as poll workers in Utah elections, and the idea was the brainchild of Wasatch High School Senior Luke Searle.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity too, to just be able to go from a suggestion to my state representative to having the governor come and sign this bill within my own high school,” Searle said. “It has been an awesome experience.”

Herbert said he is glad for the efforts of students like Searle.

“Luke Searle is an example to all of us of making a difference,” Herbert said. “He saw a need in the marketplace with having more young people involved in the election process, and said, ‘Maybe I can do something. I’ll talk to my elected representative.’”

Capital for a Day takes place each quarter, and Herbert said it helps him get out of the office and see what’s happening in different parts of the state.